Five escape custody at Chinsali hospital, three recaptured

Five people escaped from lawful custody while working at Chinsali General Hospital in Muchinga Province on Wednesday, with three later recaptured and two still on the run, police said.

Muchinga Province Police Commissioner, Lubinda Mayamba, said the incident happened at around 1300 hours on Sept. 23, 2026.

Among those who escaped was 36-year-old Martin Chanda of Chiba area in Kasama District, who is facing a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Others included 21-year-old Joseph Yamba of Lavushimanda District, who is facing a charge of theft of a motor vehicle, and 20-year-old Kennedy Mulenga of Mwika area in Chinsali, who is facing a charge of breaking into a building and committing a felony therein.

“The three of the escapees were later recaptured at different places in the evening of the same day, while two others remain on the run,” Mayamba said.